Holomisa announces military inquiry into SANDF casualties after DRC withdrawal

DEFENCE Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa said the military board of inquiry into casualties sustained by SANDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be undertaken once the withdrawal of the soldiers from the operation there was completed.

Holomisa said the executive expected that there would be a thorough briefing on the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the DRC.

“Following debriefing, the ministry together with the commander of the SANDF will provide a direction on the terms of reference for the entire board of inquiry,” he said.

Holomisa was responding during the question and answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday. DA MP Chris Hattingh enquired about the steps taken to launch a military board of inquiry or a judicial commission of inquiry regarding the SA National Defence Force casualties in the DRC.

“With regards to the possibility of a judicial commission of inquiry, the ministry will also consider and advise the nation on this matter at the appropriate time,” Holomisa said, adding that timelines for the inquiry will be announced following a due process to be followed within the defence.

However, he noted that Parliament had expressed a keen interest in a thorough and transparent investigation into the DRC casualties.

Last week, some MPs made calls for a commission of inquiry when they were briefed about the withdrawal of SANDF from the DRC.

“The ministry recognises the concern and will engage accordingly on the potential establishment of such a commission.”

Holomisa was asked whether there would not be a conflict of interest when the military board of inquiry was decided, as the top brass of the SANDF had claimed the DRC operation was a success when many felt it was a massive failure.

In response, the Deputy Minister said the SAMIDRC deployment can't be measured by one incident.

“We need a comprehensive report from SADC, the UN, the DRC and SANDF. It is not going to be in the interests of the country to give a judgement, safe to say the Minister and the commander of the defence force have been involved in this operation, and we can't therefore question when they say the operation was a success.

“Let us rather stick to what Parliament has asked us to do, to investigate. Out of the findings of such an inquiry, then we can give a judgement that this was a failure or this was a success,” Holomisa said.

When pressed whether he would convince President Cyril Ramaphosa to institute a commission of inquiry in the DRC casualties, Holomisa said it was his wish that MPs could influence or give directions to the terms of such inquiry were it to be formed.

“It depends on Parliament to take that decision. On our side, we will not insist, but in the meantime, the board of inquiry within the Department of Defence, as per the Defence Act, will continue to take place.

“That question you are asking, it is this House which must direct it to the President through a judicial commission of inquiry, no shortcuts,” he added.